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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes including ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries first came to light the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms connected to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.